Leigh MacMillan

February 1, 2024

Romney Humphries receives John V. Bergen Excellence Award

Vanderbilt’s Romney Humphries, PhD, has received the 2024 John V. Bergen Excellence Award from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 29, 2024

Expanded space boosts cutting-edge research in infectious diseases and immunology

The Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation recently debuted state-of-the-art new facilities in Medical Center.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 29, 2024

Harvard immunologist Springer next up in Discovery Lecture Series

Harvard’s Timothy Springer, PhD, a world leader in structural biology and immunology, will deliver the next Discovery Lecture at Vanderbilt on Thursday, Feb. 8.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 17, 2024

Hartmann named director of UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science

Katherine Hartmann, MD, PhD, Vice President for Research Integration for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been named director of the University of Kentucky (UK) Center for Clinical and Translational Science.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 16, 2024

‘Molecular Muse’ exhibit features Artist-in-Residence program’s science-inspired art

The “Molecular Muse” art exhibit on display in Light Hall is a sampling of pieces from the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation Artist-in-Residence (VI4-AiR) program, which brings together scientists and artists to create and promote art as a visual science communication tool.

By Leigh MacMillan
December 29, 2023

Glucose metabolism influences B cell function

Glucose metabolism influences the qualities of activated, mature B cells — white blood cells that are required for antibody-mediated immune responses, Vanderbilt researchers discovered.

By Leigh MacMillan
December 8, 2023

Gut microbiota metabolite protects against obesity: study

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that beneficial bacteria in the small intestines produce a compound that protects against obesity.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 6, 2023

Pasteurization reduces bioactive component of breast milk

Pasteurization of breast milk affects the concentration of osteopontin, a bioactive protein with roles in intestinal, immunological and brain development — suggesting that osteopontin supplementation should be considered when donor milk is provided to preterm infants.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 21, 2023

Commensal gut bacterium protects from severe intestinal infection

The commensal bacterium Turicibacter sanguinis could be used to protect against severe intestinal infections, Vanderbilt researchers discovered.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 15, 2023

Novel C. diff structures are required for infection, offer new therapeutic targets

Vanderbilt research discovers that iron storage “spheres” inside the bacterium C. diff — the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections — are important for infection in an animal model and could offer new targets for antibacterial drugs.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 27, 2023

Study discovers role for gut bacteria in host-pathogen competition for nutrients

Vanderbilt research shows that commensal gut microbes impact the host-pathogen competition for iron and has implications for therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing pathogens from acquiring essential nutrients.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 24, 2023

Vanderbilt-led team receives 2023 Endeavor Award from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research

A multidisciplinary team of investigators has received a 2023 Endeavor Award from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research to support four closely linked projects exploring the fundamental mechanisms that drive the obesity-cancer connection,
By Leigh MacMillan